Work Text:
A long sigh escapes his lips as he lays on his bed. Nothing has been going right for Giyuu. He lost his job because he was framed for mistreating his coworkers and not accepted into any job he applied for recently because he "wasn't pretty enough".
He found out half of his friends were fake, he lost something important earlier, and his apartment was a damn mess. Giyuu lays on his bed like he's dead. His body isn't all well, either. His stomach hurts when he tries to eat, but his stomach aches in the first place because he didn't eat!
Dark eye bags drowned out any good features he had. Dry lips, dry skin, greasy hair, and ungodly pale skin. He looked like a damn vampire.
There is little for him to eat either since he last went grocery shopping a while ago. It's not like he'll eat, but people still come to his apartment.
Another heavy sigh comes out of Giyuu's mouth as he forces himself up. Forcing himself out of bed to get ready for the day. He genuinely wishes he never woke up.
Luckily for him, the day went by quickly. Going to the market to try and be productive, Giyuu buys some vegetables and fruits. The rest of the day was a blur, as nothing much happened anymore.
Sitting on the living room couch, Giyuu watches a random reality tv show. He glances at the clock.
It's seven o'clock already?
Giyuu glances at the window. The sky is dark and painted with stars. The skyscrapers light the atmosphere as well. He always thought the city was beautiful. Just as Giyuu was about to go on the balcony, a loud knock interrupted him.
He turns around and walks to the door, wondering who could bother him so late. Giyuu looks through the peek hole and sees a familiar woman. He groans and opens the door.
A short woman with black and purple hair smiles at him, "Hello, Tomioka!"
Giyuu looks down at Shinobu, "What're you doing here?"
Shinobu smirks, "Did you forget? You said I could come whenever, so I decided now would be a perfect time!"
She forces herself in and takes off her shoes, entering the kitchen. Giyuu grunts, "Whatever."
He follows her into the kitchen, "How long are you staying?"
Shinobu glances at him before returning to making her glass of water, "Mm, maybe an hour at most."
She turns around to an annoyed-looking Giyuu. She laughs lightly, "Want me gone already?"
"Yes."
Suddenly a stiff jab to his arm makes him glare at her. She glares back at him,
"You answered way too fast."
Giyuu sighs as he watches her walk away. This was going to be a very long night.
He walks into the living room, watching Shinobu look at something he left on the table. Shinobu turns towards him, "Tomioka, what is this?"
Pointing at bloody bandages and cotton balls, she looks at him with concern. He shifts uncomfortably, "Um. I got injured."
Shinobu gives him a look, "Really? On your wrist?"
She points out the bandages on his wrist. Giyuu instantly pulls down his sleeves, "Shinobu."
He warns her, but she doesn't give in, "Giyuu, I--"
"Just leave," Giyuu states in a harsh tone. Shinobu gives him a worried look, "But--"
"Just get out."
He practically begs her. She sighs, "Fine. Don't do anything stupid." She stands up and walks to the door, quickly putting on her shoes and leaving. Giyuu sighs and looks down at his arms.
'Fucking ugly.'
He drops his arms and looks at the bloody bandages on the table. How could he be that stupid? Suddenly, memories start coming into his mind. Not good ones. He groans.
He walks back to his room, pushing the door weakly to close it. Giyuu shifts to the side of the door and sinks. Many unbearable memories flood his mind. Things of what he wanted and wanted, and something of what he wishes not to remember.
Tears begin to form as painful memories come back, rushing toward him. Giyuu raises his hands and tries to wipe away his tears, but the feeling of crying surprisingly feels better than being happy.
Giyuu watches as his tears stain his pants and face. Small gasps and hiccups escape his throat as he breaks down. He doesn't even register the sound of his apartment door being opened, nor does he hear someone approaching him.
"Tomioka?"
A soft voice calls out to him, but he ignores it. The bedroom door opened slightly, allowing Shinbou to peek her head in. Her eyes widen, and she pushes the door open. Giyuu looks up, startled.
"Giyuu," Shinobu kneels before him, "what happened? Are you okay?"
Giyuu bites his tongue, yet a pathetic sob is still heard. He lowers his head and squeezes his eyes shut. He hears Shinobu shift around slightly before feeling some weight pulling him into a loose hug. He feels his lips wobble and lets his mouth open barely. Sobs and cries are heard clearly; Shinbou looks at him worried.
"It's okay, Tomioka. What's wrong?"
Shinobu whispers as she watches the man let out choked sobs. Giyuu opens his eyes before closing them again, "I-... I got fired from my job."
Uneasy stutters prevent Giyuu from saying any clear sentences as his throat closes on him. Shinobu waits patiently for him to continue. Giyuu wipes his tears, "No other j.. job will accept me because I- I'm not good-looking enough."
Giyuu stops himself to take a deep breath. A rushed one that just went in and out. He starts gasping for air desperately as his crying squishes his throat shut. Shinobu hugs him loosely, "Tomioka-- Giyuu, calm down and breathe for a little."
She rubs his back with her hand, hoping to calm him down. As she rubs her hand on his back, Giyuu tries to catch his breath. The comforting motion reminds him of his sister, as she would do the same to him when he cried. Remembering that memory made him calm down yet cry more at the same time.
"Giyuu, I'm here. Please calm down." Shinobu mumbles. When his breathing becomes more regular, she lowers her hand and rests it on the floor. She watches as Giyuu try and regain himself.
She waits for a little before speaking. As Giyuu wipes away his never-ending tears, she leans against the wall, "Tell me what's wrong. I won't say anything nor lecture you. I'll listen to you."
Giyuu nods, "Everything's just been so tiring lately." He whispers with a more steady voice. He covers his face with his hands, "I've been crying more lately and losing motivation."
A deep sigh escapes his throat, "As much as I want to get help from someone, I just can't bring myself to ask."
Shinobu looks at her feet as she quietly listens to Giyuu's inner thoughts. A pause brings silence into the room but is soon replaced when Giyuu continues, "I don't know why it's so hard to ask for help. I sometimes need someone next to me, but I can't ask anyone."
Small sobs are heard from Giyuu as he talks, "I keep hoping someone will notice me and come to me without me asking them directly."
Shinobu listens to him, understanding everything he's saying. She nods her head and thinks to herself,
I'm here now, Giyuu. Please let go of all your struggles now.
Giyuu lifts his head slightly so he can stare at his feet. "I've been feeling insecure lately. Every time I look at my reflection on different surfaces, it's always different. Looking in the mirror, I feel pretty, but looking at my phone camera, I look disgusting."
Lowering his head again, he leans onto Shinobu. She's a little surprised at first but embraces him. She wraps her arms around him and moves her thumb up and down his arm, hoping the little action will comfort him.
He closes his eyes, "I hate everything. Please don't leave me too, Shinobu."
She looks at his lowered head, "I could never, Giyuu."
Giyuu hugs himself as Shinobu hugs him. They stay like that for a while before Giyuu lifts his head and wipes away his tears, "I'm sorry for bothering you."
Genuine guilt washes over him as he knew Shinobu had to go home about thirty minutes ago. He hears her sigh, "Don't be. It'll be me if you ever need someone by your side."
Giyuu looks at her with his teary eyes. She looked at him with such a genuine and soft smile he couldn't help the inflow of tears escaping his eyes. Shinobu chuckles before pulling him closer.
He sighs, "Thank you, Shinobu."